Suspicious email in outlook

The eternal vigilance of email security!

If you're using Outlook and you receive a suspicious email, here are some steps you can take to report and handle it:

  1. Mark as Junk: Right-click on the email and select "Mark as Junk" from the context menu. This will help Outlook's spam filters learn to recognize similar emails in the future.
  2. Report Phishing: If you think the email is a phishing attempt, you can report it to Microsoft by clicking on the "Report Phishing" button in the email's toolbar. This will send a report to Microsoft's abuse team.
  3. Delete: If the email is clearly spam or phishing, you can simply delete it.
  4. Forward to Microsoft: If you're unsure whether the email is legitimate or not, you can forward it to Microsoft's abuse team at [email protected]. This will help them investigate and take action if necessary.
  5. Check the sender's email address: Be cautious of emails from senders with unusual or suspicious email addresses. Legitimate senders usually have email addresses that match their company's domain.
  6. Verify the sender's identity: If you're unsure about the sender's identity, you can try contacting them directly through a phone number or website to verify the email's authenticity.
  7. Watch for typos and grammatical errors: Legitimate companies usually have professional email templates with minimal typos and grammatical errors. Be wary of emails with obvious mistakes.
  8. Be cautious of urgent requests: Phishers often try to create a sense of urgency to prompt you into taking action. Be cautious of emails that ask you to take immediate action, such as revealing sensitive information or clicking on links.
  9. Use Outlook's built-in security features: Outlook has built-in security features, such as Safe Links and Safe Attachments, which can help protect you from malicious emails. Make sure these features are enabled in your Outlook settings.
  10. Stay informed: Stay up-to-date with the latest email scams and phishing attempts by following reputable sources, such as Microsoft's Security Blog and the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) website.

Remember, it's always better to err on the side of caution when dealing with suspicious emails. If you're unsure about an email's legitimacy, it's best to delete it or report it to Microsoft's abuse team.